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UCLA Football: The best player at every position during the Jim Mora era

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Myles Jack #30 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the Bruins stopped the USC Trojans on fourth down on the five yard line to take over on downs on the final play of the first quarter at the Rose Bowl on November 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Myles Jack #30 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the Bruins stopped the USC Trojans on fourth down on the five yard line to take over on downs on the final play of the first quarter at the Rose Bowl on November 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 08: Defensive back Ishmael Adams #1 of the UCLA Bruins looks on prior to the game against the Washington Huskies on November 8, 2014 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 08: Defensive back Ishmael Adams #1 of the UCLA Bruins looks on prior to the game against the Washington Huskies on November 8, 2014 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

NB: Ishmael Adams, 2012-16 | 139 tkls, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 8 INTs, 3 INT-TDs

CB: Nate Meadors, 2015-current | 112 tkls, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 2 INTs,

S: Jaleel Wadood, 2014-17 | 287 tkls, 9.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 3 INTs, 1 FF, 1 FR

S: Randall Goforth, 2012-16 | 250 tkls, 5.0 TFL, 10 INTs, 1 INT-TD, 3 FR, 4 FF

CB: Fabian Moreau, 2012-16 | 149 tkls, 4.5 TFL, 3 INTs, 2 FF

Adams was indeed a talented guy, but he also had some ups and downs. In 2015, he was overtaken at the cornerback position by Marcus Rios and reassigned as a nickelback, though once in this position, he proved to be quite the weapon, which Mora’s defenses were starting to make a permanent fixture in the defense.

Nate Meadors has been one of the toughest cornerbacks to play under the former coach. Since his freshman year he has been a solid defender, especially when going man-to-man. This year, we get to see him one final time as he returned for his senior season with Chip Kelly.

Wadood might have been slightly undersized but he was a fierce competitor. Though he had his downs, he made up for it for in aggressiveness. In each of his four years, he was always one of the top five tacklers on the team.

Goforth was good because the was reliable. One thing Mora did consistently well with is recruiting and developing DBs and Goforth was as solid as they came ini Westwood.

Fabian Moreau was the best CB in the Mora era, though Darnay Holmes is gunning for that title. Moreau was another reliable defensive back. Quarterbacks thought twice about sending the ball to his side of the field as he was relentless in his defensive pursuits.